The Physio Clinic

08/09/2022

08/02/2022

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing children and young teenagers. It’s characterized by inflammation in the area just below the knee. This area is where the tendon from the kneecap attaches to the shinbone (tibia). The condition most often develops during growth spurts.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is typically diagnosed in adolescents during the beginning of their growth spurts. Growth spurts usually start between ages 8 and 13 for girls, and between ages 10 and 15 for boys. Teenage athletes who play sports that involve jumping and running are more likely to develop the disease.
In most cases, Osgood-Schlatter disease can be treated successfully with simple measures, such as rest and over-the-counter medication.

SYMPTOMS:
Knee pain and swelling just below the kneecap are the main indicators of Osgood-Schlatter disease. Pain usually worsens during certain activities, such as running, kneeling and jumping, and eases with rest.

The condition usually occurs in just one knee, but it can affect both knees. The discomfort can last from weeks to months and can recur until your child stops growing.

When to see a doctor
Call your child's doctor if knee pain interferes with your child's ability to perform daily activities. Seek medical attention if the knee is swollen and red, or if the knee pain is associated with fever, locking or instability of the knee joint.

Medications
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Children's Motrin, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) might help.

Therapy
A physical therapist can teach your child exercises to stretch the thigh's quadriceps, which can help reduce the tension where the kneecap (patella) tendon attaches to the shinbone. A patellar tendon strap also can help relieve the tension. Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and legs in general can help stabilize the knee joint.

Surgery
In very rare cases, if pain is debilitating and doesn't subside after the growth spurt, surgery to remove the bony overgrowth might be recommended.

Lifestyle and home remedies
It might help your child to:

Rest the joint. Limit time spent doing activities that aggravate the condition, such as kneeling, jumping and running.

Ice the affected area. This can help with pain and swelling.

Stretch leg muscles. Stretching the muscles on the front of the thigh (quadriceps), is especially important.

Protect the knee. When your child is participating in sports, have him or her wear a pad over the affected knee where the knee can become irritated
Try a strap. A patellar tendon strap fits around the leg just below the kneecap. It can help to "tack down" the kneecap's tendon during activities and distribute some of the force away from the shinbone.

Cross-train. Suggest that your child switch to activities that don't involve jumping or running, such as cycling or swimming, until symptoms subside.

31/01/2022

Vitamin D deficiency — when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low — can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen.

Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function — and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer — but this is still being investigated.
Although the amount of vitamin D adults get from their diets is often less than what's recommended, exposure to sunlight can make up for the difference. For most adults, vitamin D deficiency is not a concern. However, some groups — particularly people who are obese, who have dark skin and who are older than age 65 — may have lower levels of vitamin D due to their diets, little sun exposure or other factors.

Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle. Yet, even without symptoms, too little vitamin D can pose health risks. Low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:

-Increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
-Cognitive impairment in older adults
-Severe asthma in children
-Cancer
-Muscle and joint pain
-fatiuge ,excessive sweating
Research suggests that vitamin D could play a role in the prevention and treatment of a number of different conditions, including type1 and type 2 diabetes,

The National Institute for Health and Care Management have the following guidelines for doctors about managing vitamin D deficiencies:

Recommend treatment if a person’s vitamin D level is under 25 nanomoles per liter (nmol/l).
Recommend treatment if the level is 25–50 nmol/l, and there are other indications of the deficiency.
If the level is adequate (above 50 nmol/l), give advice about how to prevent the deficiency.
Adults with vitamin D deficiency requireTrusted Source 6,000 IU of vitamin D-3 every day for 8 weeks or 50,000 IU weekly for 8 weeks

Self care:
1. Spend time in sunlight
2. Consume fatty fish and seafood
3.Include egg yolks in your diet
SUMMARY:-
Vitamin D deficiency is common, and people may not realize that they have it.

Anyone with symptoms of the deficiency should see a doctor. Also, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking supplements that would exceed the recommended daily intake.

21/04/2021

Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation (swelling) of the bursa (fluid-filled sac near a joint) at the outside (lateral) point of the hip known as the greater trochanter. When this bursa becomes irritated or inflamed, it causes pain in the hip. This is a common cause of hip pain.
Trochanteric bursitis may affect the hip's outer area or the outside part of the upper leg, from the hip to the knee along the thigh.

The trochanteric bursa, like other bursae, may become inflamed if the hip is overused or injured. Trochanteric bursitis affects about five of every 1,000 adults and generally occurs in middle-aged or older people, though people of any age may get the condition.

Active adults who regularly walk, run, or cycle may be susceptible to trochanteric bursitis. The side of the leg includes a long piece of connective tissue called the iliotibial band (ITB), which runs from the hip to the knee. If the ITB is tight from hard use, it may rub against the trochanteric bursa and cause irritation, leading to bursitis.
Other causes of trochanteric bursitis include:
-muscle tears
-hip injuries
-hip surgery complications
-poor posture diseases such as gout (a form of arthritis with sudden, sharp attacks of pain, often at the base of the big toe)

Common symptoms include:
-Pain at the side of the hip, which may also be felt on the outside of the thigh
-Pain that is sharp or intense at first, but may become more of an ache
-Difficulty walking
-Joint stiffness
-Swelling and warmth of the hip joint
-Catching and clicking sensation

You may notice the pain more when:
-Getting out of a chair or bed
-Sitting for a long time
-Walking up stairs
-Sleeping or lying on the affected side

Many cases of GTPS go away with rest and self-care. Your provider may recommend that you try the following:

-Use an ice pack 3 to 4 times a day for the first 2 or 3 days.
-Tak pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) to help relieve pain and swelling.
-Avoid activities that make the pain worse.
-Whe sleeping, do not lie on the side that has bursitis.
-Avoid standing for long periods of time.When standing, stand on a soft, cushioned surface.

25/11/2020

Upper crossed syndrome refers to a particular configuration of overlapping overactive and underactive muscle groups in the neck, chest, and shoulders.
Typically, poor posture causes the syndrome, including the forward head posture, which occurs when people use electronic devices, read, and drive. Those with upper crossed syndrome usually have the same or similar set of postural irregularities that people may describe as slouching.
Many different stretching and strengthening exercises exist that usually offer relief for symptoms of upper crossed syndrome.

With upper crossed syndrome the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and chest have become deformed.
Specifically, the back muscles of the neck and shoulders (upper trapezius, and levator scapula) become extremely overactive and strained. The muscles in the front of the chest (the major and minor pectoralis muscles) become shortened and tight.
As a result of these overactive muscles, the surrounding counter muscles become underused and weakened. In upper crossed syndrome, this causes weak muscles in the front of the neck (cervical flexor muscles) and in the lower shoulders (rhomboid and lower trapezius muscles).

tips for preventing upper crossed syndrome include:

-limiting time spent watching TV, reading, using laptops and computers, or driving
-taking breaks every 15-20 minutes while sitting or engaging in problem activities
-getting enough cardiovascular exercise, ideally 30 minutes daily from low-impact activities, such as walking or swimming
-being aware of motions, movements, or activities that worsen symptoms and avoiding them for as long as discomfort continues
-doing stretches that target sore muscles of the back neck, shoulders, and chest
-doing strengthening exercises to target weakened muscles in the upper front neck and lower shoulder
-making sure the steering wheel, book, TV, or computer screen is sitting at eye level
using a lumbar roll in chairs
using a headset for long telephone calls or transcribing,using a single pillow that retains its shape.

Correcting or practicing proper posture is also an important part of avoiding and treating upper crossed syndrome.

19/11/2020

Taping is commonly used as an adjunct or temporary technique. Athletes often make use of taping as a protective mechanism in the presence of an existing injury. Some of the goals with taping are to restrict the movement of injured joints, soft tissue compression to reduce swelling. support anatomical structures, and as protection from re-injury. Taping is used as one of the means of rehabilitation or prophylaxis in instances where support and stability are needed, as a first-aid tool, for the prevention of injury and protection of an injured anatomical structure while healing is taking place.

The tape is commonly used by physiotherapists to:

-relieve your painimprove joint stability
-enhance athlete confidence
-reduce injury recurrenceprevent injury
-reduce strain on injured or vulnerable tissues
-correct faulty biomechanics
-inhibit muscle action
-facilitate muscle action
-enhance proprioception
-compress in the presence of edema or lymphatic drainage

Some of these purposes may be achieved through a combination of these possible effects of taping:
mechanical effectsneuromuscular effectspsychological effects

There are different kinds of tape that can be employed:

Rigid strapping tape commonly used in taping or strapping is often referred to as "sports tape" or "athletic tape" and is most often a rigid style of strapping tape.
Elastic strapping tape can also be used when less rigidity or support is required.
Kinesiology tape is an improved version of elastic sports tape that acts to dynamically assist your muscle function.

Principal of taping:
Protection of the skin-Check the skin sensitivity of the person to be taped that he is not allergic to the adhesive tape. Make sure there are no existing rash or broken skin in the area to b taped.
Hair removal in the area to be taped-It is better if the hair is removed 12 hours prior to the tape application to reduce skin irritation.
Clean and prepare the skinThe padding of the sensitive areas with adhesive tape.

02/11/2020

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

-Cupping helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
-Improves blood flow.
-Used for relaxation, well being and deep tissue massage.
-It is safe, non invasive and inexpensive treatment.
-Rejuvenation of body organs.
-Facilitates healing process and strengthens immune system.

cupping therapy is used to treat:

Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia
Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
Fertility and gynecological disorders
Skin problems such as eczema and acne
High blood pressure
Migraine Anxiety and depression
Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma Varicose veins

11/10/2020

Dry needling is a modern treatment designed to ease muscular pain. Its popularity is growing.
During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into your skin. Filiform needles are fine, short, stainless steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body. That’s why the term “dry” is used.

Practitioners place the needles in “trigger points” in your muscle or tissue. Dry needling is also sometimes called intramuscular stimulation. The points are areas of knotted or hard muscle.

Dry needling practitioners say the needle helps release the knot and relieve any muscle pain or spasms. The needles will remain in your skin for a short period of time. The length of time depends on the practitioner. Some healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists
Dry needling may provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.

Generally you will not need to do anything after treatment except rest. Simply drink plenty of water and get a solid night of sleep. It is best not to workout after dry needling, but walking or any gentle movement is helpful to promote blood circulation.